Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
  • E21B34/06—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells
  • E21B34/08—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
  • E21B43/12—Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
  • E21B47/06—Measuring temperature or pressure
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
  • E21B47/06—Measuring temperature or pressure
  • E21B47/07—Temperature
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
  • F16K31/002—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by temperature variation
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/0318—Processes
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/7722—Line condition change responsive valves
  • Y10T137/7737—Thermal responsive

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a flow control device and a flow control method.
• the present invention is based on a self adjusting or autonomous valve as disclosed in WO 2008/004875 A1 and operating by the Bernoulli principle, belonging to the applicant of the present invention.
• the total oil and/or gas produced by this means will therefore be low.
• With thin oil zones and highly permeable geological formations there is further a high risk that of coning, i. e. flow of unwanted water or gas into the drainage pipe downstream, where the velocity of the oil flow from the reservoir to the pipe is the greatest.
• WO-A-9208875 describes a horizontal production pipe comprising a plurality of production sections connected by mixing chambers having a larger internal diameter than the production sections.
• the production sections comprise an external slotted liner which can be considered as performing a filtering action.
• the sequence of sections of different diameter creates flow turbulence and prevent the running of work- over tools.
• fluids of different qualities i.e. oil, gas, water (and sand) is produced in different amounts and mixtures depending on the property or quality of the formation. None of the above-mentioned, known devices are able to distinguish between and control the inflow of oil, gas or water on the basis of their relative composition and/or quality.
• an inflow control device which is self adjusting or autonomous and can easily be fitted in the wall of a production pipe and which therefore provide for the use of work-over tools.
• the device is designed to "distinguish" between the oil and/or gas and/or water and is able to control the flow or inflow of oil or gas, depending on which of these fluids such flow control is required.
• the device as disclosed in WO 2008/004875 A1 is robust, can withstand large forces and high temperatures, prevents draw dawns (differential pressure), needs no energy supply, can withstand sand production, is reliable, but is still simple and very cheap.
• the device is provided with a thermally responsive element in the form of a bi- metallic element bending the inner disc of the device in case of temperature drops.
• a thermally responsive element in the form of a bi- metallic element bending the inner disc of the device in case of temperature drops.
• US 4,347,201 discloses a process for making a temperature sensitive magnetic element, and also describes the use of such a temperature sensitive magnetic element to switch a reed switch, which in turn controls an air conditioning unit.
• a further example is provided in US 4,347,201 in which the quantity of light falling on a photodiode is controlled using such a temperature sensitive magnetic element.
• Each of US 4,407,448, US 4,303,196, US 4,005,726 and US 5,799,648 discloses the use of the Curie effect as the sole means of opening and closing a valve.
• a method and apparatus according to the present invention is set out in independent claims 1 , 8, 13 and 18.
• a further aspect of the present invention is set out in claim 9,
• Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a production pipe with a control device according to WO 2008/004875 A1 ,
• Fig. 2 a shows, in larger scale, a cross section of the control device according to WO 2008/004875 A1 , b) shows the same device in a top view.
• Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the flow volume through a control device according to WO 2008/004875 A1 vs. the differential pressure in comparison with a fixed inflow device,
• Fig. 4 shows the device shown in Fig. 2, but with the indication of different pressure zones influencing the design of the device for different applications.
• Fig. 5 shows a principal sketch of another embodiment of the control device according to WO 2008/004875 A1 .
• Fig. 6 shows a principal sketch of a third embodiment of the control device according to WO 2008/004875 A1 .
• Fig. 7 shows a principal sketch of a fourth embodiment of the control device according to WO 2008/004875 A1.
• Fig. 8 shows a principal sketch of a fifth embodiment of WO 2008/004875 A1 where the control device is an integral part of a flow arrangement.
• Fig. 9 a) shows a control device embodying the present invention in which ferromagnetic material is used to maintain the control device in a closed position below a certain temperature, b) shows an alternative to a).
• Fig. 10 a shows a control device embodying the present invention in which ferromagnetic material is used to maintain the control device in an open position below a certain temperature
• b) shows an alternative to a).
• Fig. 1 shows, as stated above, a section of a production pipe 1 in which a prototype of a control device 2 according to WO 2008/004875 A1 is provided.
• the control device 2 is preferably of circular, relatively flat shape and may be provided with external threads 3 (see Fig. 2) to be screwed into a circular hole with corresponding internal threads in the pipe or an injector.
• the device 2 may be adapted to the thickness of the pipe or injector and fit within its outer and inner periphery.
• Fig. 2 a) and b) shows the prior control device 2 of WO 2008/004875 A1 in larger scale.
• the device consists of a first disc-shaped housing body 4 with an outer cylindrical segment 5 and inner cylindrical segment 6 and with a central hole or aperture 10, and a second disc-shaped holder body 7 with an outer cylindrical segment 8, as well as a preferably flat disc or freely movable body 9 provided in an open space 14 formed between the first 4 and second 7 disc-shaped housing and holder bodies.
• the body 9 may for particular applications and adjustments depart from the flat shape and have a partly conical or semicircular shape (for instance towards the aperture 10.)
• the cylindrical segment 8 of the second disc-shaped holder body 7 fits within and protrudes in the opposite direction of the outer cylindrical segment 5 of the first disc-shaped housing body 4 thereby forming a flow path as shown by the arrows 11 , where the fluid enters the control device through the central hole or aperture (inlet) 10 and flows towards and radially along the disc 9 before flowing through the annular opening 12 formed between the cylindrical segments 8 and 6 and further out through the annular opening 13 formed between the cylindrical segments 8 and 5.
• the two disc-shaped housing and holder bodies 4, 7 are attached to one another by a screw connection, welding or other means (not further shown in the figures) at a connection area 15 as shown in Fig 2 b).
• the present invention exploits the effect of Bernoulli teaching that the sum of static pressure, dynamic pressure and friction is constant along a flow line:
• the pressure difference over the disc 9 can be expressed as follows:
• K is mainly a function of the geometry and less dependent on the Reynolds number.
• the flow area will decrease when the differential pressure increases, such that the volume flow through the control device will not, or nearly not, increase when the pressure drop increases.
• Fig. 3 A comparison between a control device according to the present invention with movable disc and a control device with fixed flow-through opening is shown in Fig. 3, and as can be seen from the figure, the flow-through volume for the present invention is constant above a given differential pressure.
• the control device according to the invention may have two different applications: Using it as inflow control device to reduce inflow of water, or using it to reduce inflow of gas at gas break through situations.
• the different areas and pressure zones as shown in Fig. 4, will have impact on the efficiency and flow through properties of the device. Referring to Fig. 4, the different area/pressure zones may be divided into:
• P 1 is the inflow area and pressure respectively.
• the force (P 1 A 1 ) generated by this pressure will strive to open the control device (move the disc or body 9 upwards).
• Pz is the area and pressure in the zone where the velocity will be largest and hence represents a dynamic pressure source. The resulting force of the dynamic pressure will strive to close the control device (move the disc or body 9 downwards as the flow velocity increases).
• P 3 is the area and pressure at the outlet. This should be the same as the well pressure (inlet pressure).
• P 4 is the area and pressure (stagnation pressure) behind the movable disc or body 9.
• the stagnation pressure at position 16 (Fig. 2), creates the pressure and the force behind the body. This will strive to close the control device (move the body downwards).
• Fig. 5 shows a principal sketch of another embodiment of the control device according to WO 2008/004875 A1 , which is of a more simple design than the version shown in Fig. 2.
• the control device 2 consists, as with the version shown in Fig.
• Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment according to WO 2008/004875 A1 where the design is the same as with the example shown in Fig. 2, but where a spring element 18, in the form of a spiral or other suitable spring device, is provided on either side of the disc and connects the disc with the holder 7, 22, recess 21 or housing 4.
• the spring element 18 is used to balance and control the inflow area between the disc 9 and the inlet 10, or rather the surrounding edge or seat 19 of the inlet 10.
• the opening between the disc 9 and edge 19 will be larger or smaller, and with a suitable selected spring constant, depending on the inflow and pressure conditions at the selected place where the control device is provided, constant mass flow through the device may be obtained.
• Fig. 7 shows a fourth embodiment according to WO 2008/004875 A1 , where the design is the same as with the example in Fig. 6 above, but where the disc 9 is, on the side facing the inlet opening 10, provided with a thermally responsive device such as bimetallic element 20.
• the conditions may rapidly change from a situation where only or mostly oil is produced to a situation where only or mostly gas is produced (gas breakthrough or gas coning).
• gas breakthrough or gas coning With for instance a pressure drop of 16 bar from 100 bar the temperature drop would correspond to approximately 20 C.
• the disc 9 By providing the disc 9 with a thermally responsive element such as a bi-metallic element as shown in Fig. 7, the disc will bend upwards or be moved upwards by the element 20 abutting the holder shaped body 7 and thereby narrowing the opening between the disc and the inlet 10 or fully closing said inlet.
• control device as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and 4 - 7 are all related to solutions where the control device as such is a separate unit or device to be provided in conjunction with a fluid flow situation or arrangement such as the wall of a production pipe in connection with the production of oil and gas.
• the control device may, as shown in Fig. 8, be an integral part of the fluid flow arrangement, whereby the movable body 9 may be provided in a recess 21 facing the outlet of an aperture or hole 10 of for instance a wall of a pipe 1 as shown in Fig. 1 instead of being provided in a separate housing body 4.
• the movable body 9 may be held in place in the recess by means of a holder device such as inwardly protruding spikes, a circular ring 22 or the like being connected to the outer opening of the recess by means of screwing, welding or the like.
• a holder device such as inwardly protruding spikes, a circular ring 22 or the like being connected to the outer opening of the recess by means of screwing, welding or the like.
• the movement of the disc or body 9 is solely induced by pressure and velocity.
• the disc 9 may be given a preferred position during installation or any time during operation or "sleep" mode by utilizing the Curie-effect, i.e. varying magnetic properties by varying temperature.
• the basic inventive idea is thus to use different materials with tailored properties in the control device 2 in order to induce special movements of the disc or body 9, by utilizing said Curie-effect.
• the Curie temperature is a transition temperature where a ferromagnetic material loses its magnetic properties. For iron this temperature is about 770 0 C. For nickel the Curie temperature is 358 °C. For some alloys the temperature might be in the range around room temperature (e.g. Monel - Cu/Ni alloy).
• FIG. 9 a shows a control device 2 embodying the present invention in which ferromagnetic material is used to form the hatched and cross-hatched parts.
• the inner cylindrical segment 6, which defines the valve seat 19 comprises first ferromagnetic material; this is shown in Fig. 9 a) as being cross hatched.
• the first ferromagnetic material has a first Curie temperature, while the second ferromagnetic material has a second Curie temperature, which may be the same as or different to the first Curie temperature.
• the first ferromagnetic material is a permanent magnet.
• the second ferromagnetic material may be, but is not required to be, a permanent magnet.
• the first and second ferromagnetic material may be the same.
• the first ferromagnetic material is magnetised, and the second ferromagnetic material (forming the disc 9) is attracted towards the first ferromagnetic material (forming the inner cylindrical segment 6) and against the valve seat 19 (see Fig. 6), such that the control device 2 is maintained in a fully closed position.
• the closed position is one in which fluid flow through the control device 2 is substantially prevented.
• the ferromagnetic material whose Curie temperature has been exceeded loses its magnetism (or loses its magnetic properties or becomes non-magnetic), so the first and second materials are no longer attracted magnetically toward one another, and the control device 2 is therefore no longer maintained in the closed position.
• the disc 9 is no longer restrained and is able to move freely again in dependence upon the fluid flow.
• both the first and second Curie temperatures so that both the first ferromagnetic material and the second ferromagnetic material loses its magnetism; however it is only necessary that at least one of the first and second ferromagnetic material loses its magnetism at the operating (reservoir) temperature.
• Fig. 9 b shows an alternative to Fig. 9 a) in which the materials are reversed, so that the inner cylindrical segment 6, which defines the valve seat 19 (see Fig. 6), comprises the second ferromagnetic material (hatched), while the disc 9 comprises the first ferromagnetic material (cross hatched).
• the overall effect is the same, in that the control device 2 is maintained in a closed position at a temperature below the lower of the two Curie temperatures.
• the first ferromagnetic material may be a magnetised ferromagnetic material such as steel, nickel or some other permanent magnetic material, and may have a higher Curie temperature than the first ferromagnetic material.
• the second ferromagnetic material may be a Monel alloy, which would typically exhibit a Curie temperature in the range from 20 to 50 0 C. It will be appreciated that these are merely examples, and many other combinations of materials may be used. It is not necessary for the second material to have a Curie temperature lower than that for the first material.
• FIG. 10 a shows a control device 2 embodying the present invention in which ferromagnetic material is used to form the hatched and cross-hatched parts.
• the disc 9 comprises second ferromagnetic material (shown as hatched).
• the first ferromagnetic material has a first Curie temperature, while the second ferromagnetic material has a second Curie temperature, which may be the same as or different to the first Curie temperature.
• the first ferromagnetic material is a permanent magnet.
• the second ferromagnetic material may be, but is not required to be, a permanent magnet.
• the first and second ferromagnetic material may be the same. At a temperature below both the first and second Curie temperatures, the first ferromagnetic material is magnetised, and the second ferromagnetic material (forming the disc 9) is attracted towards the first ferromagnetic material (forming the housing part marked 7), and away from the valve seat 19 (see Fig. 6), such that the control device 2 is maintained in a fully open position.
• the open position is one in which fluid flow through the control device 2 is substantially at a maximum.
• the ferromagnetic material whose Curie temperature has been exceeded loses its magnetism (or loses its magnetic properties or becomes non-magnetic), so the first and second materials are no longer attracted magnetically toward one another, and the control device 2 is therefore no longer maintained in the open position.
• the disc 9 is no longer restrained and is able to move freely again in dependence upon the fluid flow.
• both the first and second Curie temperatures so that both the first ferromagnetic material and the second ferromagnetic material loses its magnetism; however it is only necessary that at least one of the first and second ferromagnetic material loses its magnetism at the operating (reservoir) temperature.
• Fig. 10 b shows an alternative to Fig. 10 a) in which the materials are reversed, so that the housing part 7 comprises the second ferromagnetic material (hatched), while the disc 9 comprises the first ferromagnetic material (cross hatched).
• the overall effect is the same, in that the control device 2 is maintained in an open position at a temperature below the lower of the two Curie temperatures.
• the housing itself is showing as being formed of the ferromagnetic material, it is also possible that the housing is non magnetic and a separate ferromagnetic element is included, for example fixed to the housing in an appropriate location.
• the term "housing" should be interpreted as including structural material, which may be non magnetic, and any ferromagnetic material fixed to the structural material. In this sense, the housing comprises both the structural and the ferromagnetic material.
• the disc 9 need not be comprised only of ferromagnetic material, but may for example comprise a layer of structural material and a layer of ferromagnetic material.
• This third case is illustrated also by Figs. 10 a) and 10 b) described above.
• the gas flow lowers the temperature below the lower of the two Curie temperatures, such that both the first and second ferromagnetic material exhibit magnetic properties, and such that the control device 2 acts so as to push the disc 9 towards the part of the housing marked 7, tending to cause the flow control device 2 to remain in an open configuration, or at least open more easily.
• these effects can also be achieved by using glue with a certain, controlled melting point, but of course without any reversible effect.
• oil and/or gas production includes any process related to exploration or exploitation of oil and/or gas (e.g. installation, injection of steam, etc.) and is thus not restricted to a production mode.
• permanent magnets materials that can be magnetised by an external magnetic field and which remain magnetised after the external field is removed
• ferromagnetic material used herein is to be interpreted as including permanent magnets.
• a permanent magnet is to be understood as being one that is formed of a material that is magnetised and which creates its own persistent magnetic field, in the absence of an applied external magnetic field, at least below the Curie temperature for the material.
• the term "permanent magnet” is used for any material that exhibits spontaneous magnetisation, that being a net magnetic moment in the absence of an external magnetic field. Permanent magnets are made from magnetically hard ferromagnetic materials that stay magnetised.
• magnet is not to be understood as being limited to a material whose magnetism cannot be removed in any way, because external factors such as temperature and applied fields can cause a permanent magnet to lose its magnetism.
• ferrimagnetic material used herein is also to be interpreted as encompassing ferrimagnetic material.
• FIG. 9 a), 9 b), 10 a) and 10 b) are depicted in the same manner as the elements in Fig. 2 a), with additional hatching and cross hatching introduced to illustrate where the described embodiments of the present invention differ from the example shown in Fig. 2 a); the same reference numerals for like parts have been used for simplicity, but it is to be understood that this is not intended to imply that the example described with reference to Fig. 2 a) embodies the present invention.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Geology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Geophysics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Temperature-Responsive Valves (AREA)
• Details Of Valves (AREA)
• Control Of Temperature (AREA)

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Cited By (26)

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• 2008
  • 2008-11-06 NO NO20084668A patent/NO338988B1/no not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2009
  • 2009-11-06 GB GB1108997.6A patent/GB2477686B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2009-11-06 WO PCT/NO2009/000385 patent/WO2010053378A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-11-06 BR BRPI0921270A patent/BRPI0921270B1/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2009-11-06 US US13/127,757 patent/US9057244B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2009-11-06 CA CA2742952A patent/CA2742952C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

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